A 4-year-old child was killed after being mauled by a lion while wandering in his father's farm in Ajdabiya, eastern Libya, in a horrifying incident that sparked widespread debate about the phenomenon of keeping wild animals in the country. Following this incident, the Prime Minister appointed by the parliament, Osama Hamad, decided to impose a complete ban on the possession and breeding of wild animals in homes, farms, or private places, or allowing them to roam the streets for any reason.
According to a government statement, the government announced a deadline of 15 days for surrendering these wild animals to the Ministry of Interior, in preparation for their placement in designated facilities. The import or entry of wild animals into the state was also prohibited, with warnings issued to violators of these measures.
This incident has ignited widespread controversy on social media, with calls to put an end to the breeding of wild animals in the country. In her comments, activist Iman Shahema wrote, "The father bears full responsibility for his son's death, as the lion is a creature created by God to live in the jungle among animals and has been given the instinct to hunt. Bringing it to live among humans in a closed environment has made it a danger to public safety."
Another activist, Sumaya Ashweib, questioned, "Is it acceptable to raise lions on farms and in homes? How are they allowed into the city, and where are the security authorities in all these violations? Has humanity forgotten that these animals lean towards their natural instincts?" She urged all citizens to report the locations of these wild animals, whether in homes or farms.
The practice of keeping wild animals is widespread in Libya, with lions and tigers often seen roaming alongside their owners in the streets, public areas, and residential neighborhoods.
